Large and Spacious Field=Life and the World

I'm reading 1 Nephi 8 and it's never been so apparent to me how similar Lehi's dream really is to life. And it was also clear this time I read it that Heavenly Father intended for Lehi to see this vision, every part of it, even the heart-wrenching parts, like his sons leaving the tree to go to the great and spacious building. This point is clear in verse 9, when, "after [he] had prayed unto the Lord [he] beheld a large and spacious field." Beforehand he was just in darkness, confusion, and nothingness. But it was after he prayed and asked for help and for mercy that he saw this vision, again, a vision of the good and the bad. So, Heavenly Father wants us to see, through this chapter, that life is supposed to have opposition too, not just delicious fruit.

Here are a few other thoughts:

• The rod of iron went along the river not because we should live our lives on the edge, but because it represents how temptation will always be something we face, no matter how tightly we cling. But if we cling, there is no possible way for us to enter the river.
• A tree is a lot smaller than a great and spacious building. Heavenly Father knew that there would be few who would eat and stay; but the tree is still there, bright and white and delicious as ever.